Scenario: You work in a corporate environment in which you are, at least partially, responsible for network security. You have implemented a firewall, virus and spyware protection, and your computers are all up to date with patches and security fixes. You sit there and think about the lovely job you have done to make sure that you will not be hacked.
You have done, what most people think, are the major steps towards a secure network. This is partially correct. What about the other factors?
Have you thought about a social engineering attack? What about the users who use your network on a daily basis? Are you prepared in dealing with attacks by these people?
Believe it or not, the weakest link in your security plan is the people who use your network. For the most part, users are uneducated on the procedures to identify and neutralize a social engineering attack. What’s going to stop a user from finding a CD or DVD in the lunch room and taking it to their workstation and opening the files? This disk could contain a spreadsheet or word processor document that has a malicious macro embedded in it. The next thing you know, your network is compromised.
This problem exists particularly in an environment where a help desk staff reset passwords over the phone. There is nothing to stop a person intent on breaking into your network from calling the help desk, pretending to be an employee, and asking to have a password reset. Most organizations use a system to generate usernames, so it is not very difficult to figure them out.
Your organization should have strict policies in place to verify the identity of a user before a password reset can be done. One simple thing to do is to have the user go to the help desk in person. The other method, which works well if your offices are geographically far away, is to designate one contact in the office who can phone for a password reset. This way everyone who works on the help desk can recognize the voice of this person and know that he or she is who they say they are.
Why would an attacker go to your office or make a phone call to the help desk? Simple, it is usually the path of least resistance. There is no need to spend hours trying to break into an electronic system when the physical system is easier to exploit. The next time you see someone walk through the door behind you, and do not recognize them, stop and ask who they are and what they are there for. If you do this, and it happens to be someone who is not supposed to be there, most of the time he will get out as fast as possible. If the person is supposed to be there then he will most likely be able to produce the name of the person he is there to see.
I know you are saying that I am crazy, right? Well think of Kevin Mitnick. He is one of the most decorated hackers of all time. The US government thought he could whistle tones into a telephone and launch a nuclear attack. Most of his hacking was done through social engineering. Whether he did it through physical visits to offices or by making a phone call, he accomplished some of the greatest hacks to date. If you want to know more about him Google his name or read the two books he has written.
It’s beyond me why people try and dismiss these types of attacks. I guess some network engineers are just too proud of their network to admit that they could be breached so easily. Or is it the fact that people don’t feel they should be responsible for educating their employees? Most organizations don’t give their IT departments the jurisdiction to promote physical security. This is usually a problem for the building manager or facilities management. None the less, if you can educate your employees the slightest bit; you may be able to prevent a network breach from a physical or social engineering attack.
Dennis d’Entremont is the operator of SaveLoad Video Game Directory and Computers-Made-Easy.com
Author: Dennis DEntremont
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: PCB Prototype & Manufacturing
Related
6,675 Comments on this Post
Bonus veren siteler
I really love to read such an excellent article. Helpful article. Hello Administ . Shellerim.org
takipçi hilesi instagram 2023
smmpanel,smm panel,smm panel ,instagram takipçi hilesi, instagram takipçi arttırma, instagram takipçi hilesi 2023, instagram takipçi hilesi 2023, instagram takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, instagram takipçi hilesi şifresiz, instagram takipçi hilesi uygulama, instagram takipçi hilesi ücretsiz, instagram bedava takipçi hilesi, instagram bedava takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, takipçi hilesi, takipçi hilesi 2021, takipçi hilesi instagram 2023, takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, takipçi hilesi #instagram
instagram takipçi hilesi şifresiz
smmpanel,smm panel,smm panel ,instagram takipçi hilesi, instagram takipçi arttırma, instagram takipçi hilesi 2023, instagram takipçi hilesi 2023, instagram takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, instagram takipçi hilesi şifresiz, instagram takipçi hilesi uygulama, instagram takipçi hilesi ücretsiz, instagram bedava takipçi hilesi, instagram bedava takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, takipçi hilesi, takipçi hilesi 2021, takipçi hilesi instagram 2023, takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, takipçi hilesi #instagram
takipçi hilesi 2021
smmpanel,smm panel,smm panel ,instagram takipçi hilesi, instagram takipçi arttırma, instagram takipçi hilesi 2023, instagram takipçi hilesi 2023, instagram takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, instagram takipçi hilesi şifresiz, instagram takipçi hilesi uygulama, instagram takipçi hilesi ücretsiz, instagram bedava takipçi hilesi, instagram bedava takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, takipçi hilesi, takipçi hilesi 2021, takipçi hilesi instagram 2023, takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, takipçi hilesi #instagram
instagram takipçi hilesi ücretsiz
smmpanel,smm panel,smm panel ,instagram takipçi hilesi, instagram takipçi arttırma, instagram takipçi hilesi 2023, instagram takipçi hilesi 2023, instagram takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, instagram takipçi hilesi şifresiz, instagram takipçi hilesi uygulama, instagram takipçi hilesi ücretsiz, instagram bedava takipçi hilesi, instagram bedava takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, takipçi hilesi, takipçi hilesi 2021, takipçi hilesi instagram 2023, takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, takipçi hilesi #instagram
Deneme bonusu
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader. Shellerim.org
smmpanel
smmpanel,smm panel,smm panel ,instagram takipçi hilesi, instagram takipçi arttırma, instagram takipçi hilesi 2023, instagram takipçi hilesi 2023, instagram takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, instagram takipçi hilesi şifresiz, instagram takipçi hilesi uygulama, instagram takipçi hilesi ücretsiz, instagram bedava takipçi hilesi, instagram bedava takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, takipçi hilesi, takipçi hilesi 2021, takipçi hilesi instagram 2023, takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır, takipçi hilesi #instagram
Rüyada bebek doğurmak
Congratulations on a successful article
smm panelim
Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. smm panel
smm panel
Good info. Lucky me I reach on your website by accident, I bookmarked it. smmpanel
Bridal makeup dos and don'ts
Natural wedding makeup for brides is a popular choice for those who want to enhance their beauty without looking overly done.
Profile
It made a great profile picture. You can check it out by clicking on my link.
vds satın al
vds satın al uygun fiyata hostumodan
reklam ajansları
reklam ajansı reklam hizmetleri kurumsal reklam ajansı marka kimlik klavuzu grafik tasarım animasyon Marka Studio Dijital Tasarım Reklam Ajansı kurumsal logo tasarım, kurumsal kimlik tasarımı, marka kimlik tasarımı, marka imaj yönetimi, marka eğitimleri ve reklamcılık hizmetleri veren profesyonel creative reklam ajansı
Deneme bonusu
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader. Shellerim.org
Bonus veren siteler
Thank you great posting about essential oil. Hello Administ . Shellerim.org
vds
vds uygun fiyata hostumo üzerinden alabilirsiniz
Obesity treatment
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader. Obesity treatment , Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey , http://www.santenette.com/
Obesity treatment
Great post thank you. Hello Administ . Obesity treatment , Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey , http://www.santenette.com/
Rüyada gelinlik giymek
Congratulations on a successful article
Obesity treatment Turkey
Thank you for great content. Hello Administ. Obesity treatment . Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey Website: http://www.santenette.com
Bonus veren siteler
Thank you great post. Hello Administ .Shellerim.org
Deneme bonusu veren siteler
Thank you for great content. Hello Administ. Shellerim.org
Deneme bonusu
Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Shellerim.org
Obesity treatment Turkey
Nice article inspiring thanks. Hello Administ . Obesity treatment . Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey Website: http://www.santenette.com
Obesity treatment Turkey
Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Obesity treatment . Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey Website: http://www.santenette.com
Obesity treatment Turkey
Thank you for great article. Hello Administ .Obesity treatment . Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey Website: http://www.santenette.com
Obesity treatment Turkey
Thank you for content. Area rugs and online home decor store. Hello Administ . Obesity treatment . Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey Website: http://www.santenette.com
Obesity treatment Turkey
Thank you great post. Hello Administ .Obesity treatment . Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey Website: http://www.santenette.com
Obesity treatment Turkey
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader. Obesity treatment . Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey Website: http://www.santenette.com
Deneme bonusu veren siteler
Thank you for great article. Hello Administ .Shellerim.org
takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır
Nice article inspiring thanks. Hello Administ . smm paneller
takipci satın al
Hi, just required you to know I he added your site to my Google bookmarks due to your layout. But seriously, I believe your internet site has 1 in the freshest theme I??ve came across. instagram takipçi hilesi
takipçi hilesi 2021
Thank you great posting about essential oil. Hello Administ . takipci hilesi
beğeni satın al
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader. instagram takipçi hilesi 2023
smm paneller
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader. instagram takipçi hilesi 2023
medyabayim
Hi, just required you to know I he added your site to my Google bookmarks due to your layout. But seriously, I believe your internet site has 1 in the freshest theme I??ve came across. instagram takipçi hilesi
takipçi hilesi instagram 2023
I really love to read such an excellent article. Helpful article. Hello Administ . beğeni hilesi
Obesity treatment
Thank you for great article. Hello Administ .Obesity treatment , Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey , http://www.santenette.com/
Obesity treatment
Thank you for content. Area rugs and online home decor store. Hello Administ . Obesity treatment , Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey , http://www.santenette.com/
Obesity treatment
Hi, just required you to know I he added your site to my Google bookmarks due to your layout. But seriously, I believe your internet site has 1 in the freshest theme I??ve came across. Obesity treatment , Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey , http://www.santenette.com/
Obesity treatment
Good info. Lucky me I reach on your website by accident, I bookmarked it. Obesity treatment , Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey , http://www.santenette.com/
Obesity treatment
Thank you great posting about essential oil. Hello Administ . Obesity treatment , Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey , http://www.santenette.com/
Obesity treatment
Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Obesity treatment , Obesity treatment Turkey , Obesity treatment in Turkey , http://www.santenette.com/
instagram takipçi hilesi nasıl yapılır
Thank you for great article. Hello Administ .smm panel ana sağlayıcı
uygun smm panel
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. smm panelim
SEO Mobile
Very nice content. It makes me very happy to receive content like this.
SEO Professional
Thanks for the great content. I follow here
SEO Word
I found the information I was looking for in the content. Thank you to the editor
SEO Specialis
It is a content that helped me a lot in my working process. I hope it will continue